Melania Trump was conducting a photoshoot at the White House Wednesday, January 6, 2021, when the MAGA mob violently took over the U.S. Capitol Building.
CNN reported Friday on the first lady’s whereabouts Wednesday afternoon, as she’s been completely silent since her husband, President Donald Trump, incited a riot that left five people dead, including a Capitol Police officer.
‘Photos were being taken of rugs and other items in the Executive Residence and the East Wing,’ a person familiar with Melania Trump’s activities told the network.
CNN’s Kate Bennett had previously reported that the first lady was interested in writing a coffee table book featuring decorative objects that had been restored during her time overseeing renovations at the White House.
Professional lighting could be seen through the windows of the White House, the CNN story also said.
As the mob breached the Capitol Building, Melania Trump remained focused, alongside White House chief usher Timothy Harleth, on finishing the shoot.
The first lady was asked by members of her staff if she planned to release a statement.
She did not.
A White House source told CNN that the first lady is ‘checked out.’
‘She just isn’t in a place mentally or emotionally anymore where she wants to get involved,’ the source said.
Two of her top staffers had resigned by Wednesday night.
The first was Stephanie Grisham, her spokesperson and chief of staff who was also briefly White House press secretary.
Grisham was followed out the door by White House Social Secretary Rickie Niceta.
With the two of them gone, the East Wing staff is down to a bare-bones operation.
Melania Trump has had a smaller staff than most first ladies since she moved to the White House in June 2017.
